Oklahoma’s search for a new offensive coordinator has taken an intriguing turn, with recent reports suggesting that Dan Mullen might not be a candidate for the job after all. Despite speculation surrounding the former Florida and Mississippi State head coach, the Sooners appear to be focused on other options.
According to Tulsa World’s Eric Bailey, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables has hinted that his preferred candidate is currently employed by another team. This suggests that the Sooners are aiming to hire an offensive coordinator who currently at an institution, achieving success, and committed to completing the season.
I asked Brent Venables about timeline on hiring OC: "If I'm talking to the right people, which I believe I am, they're going to be sensitive to finishing what they started and being loyal to their players … but sooner than later is when I want it finished" #Sooners
— Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) November 19, 2024
This revelation narrows down the pool of potential candidates and raises questions about the timeline for the hiring process. Venables has expressed a desire to fill the position “sooner than later,” indicating a sense of urgency to address the team’s offensive woes, and to provide a sense of direction ahead of the early signing period that begins on December 4th.
“We’ve talked to several people, and so we feel like we’re in a good position where we need to be,” Venables said at his weekly press conference today. “Haven’t put a hard deadline on it, making that decision. Doing the process its due diligence. There’s a lot of layers to it, as you can imagine, and very sensitive to what we’re trying to do here to finish out the year, give ourselves a chance to win our last two regular-season games and continue to get better, and then, I’ve got to, there’s got to be a sense of urgency. There certainly is, finding the best solution to where we’re at right now.”
The search for a new offensive coordinator has added urgency due to the upcoming transfer portal window, which opens on December 9th. The uncertainty surrounding the offensive coaching staff could significantly impact the decisions of current Oklahoma players, potentially leading to departures through the transfer portal. A delay in hiring the right coach could leave Oklahoma vulnerable to losing key players and hindering their ability to rebuild the offense effectively.
As Oklahoma continues its search for a new offensive coordinator, several names have emerged as potential candidates. Among them are Ben Arbuckle, Jake Spavital, Joe Craddock, and Mike Shanahan.
Ben Arbuckle is the current offensive coordinator at Washington State. Known for his innovative offensive schemes and quarterback development, Arbuckle could bring a fresh perspective to the Sooners’ offense. His success with the Cougars has made him a sought-after coach.
Jake Spavital is the offensive coordinator at Baylor. He has a history of developing high-powered offenses and has experience coaching in a Power Four conference, as well as a recruiting history in the state of Texas. Spavital’s ability to adapt to different offensive styles could make him a strong candidate for the Oklahoma job.
Joe Craddock is the offensive coordinator at Tulane. He has played a significant role in the Green Waves’ offensive resurgence, helping them become one of the top scoring offenses in the country, 40.5 points per game. His experience and success could make him an attractive option for the Sooners.
Mike Shanahan is the offensive coordinator at Indiana. He has a wealth of experience as a college football coach and has been instrumental in the Hoosiers’ offensive success. The undefeated Hoosiers are No. 2 in the country in scoring offense this season, with an average of 43.9 points per game.
So, call your shot. Drop a comment below and let us know who your guy is for the Sooners. For me, it’s Arbuckle.
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